Books like 'Something like Hate'
Readers who enjoyed Something like Hate by Piper Rayne also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny sports office from hate to love secret-relationship forced proximity athletes sassy heroine strong heroine
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Irresistible Trouble by Pippa Grant
I, Cooper Rock, baseball god, worshipper of women, hometown hero, beloved son and brother, and owner of a well-deserved ego, have always reached for the stars. Usually in baseball. In love? Nah. When you’ve played the field as much as I have and haven’t been bit by the bug, you’re immune. Or so I thought until she walked back into my life. Waverly Sweet. Pop music sensation... -
![Without You: Scotch and Sammy duet - book 2 by Emilia Finn]()
Without You: Scotch and Sammy duet - book 2 by Emilia Finn
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsSammy. I left because I thought I was doing the right thing. I was falling on my sword. I thought I was saving everyone a lot of heart ache, and in exchange, I took all that ache on my own. I was supposed to be the hero, but instead I was the villain. He hates me with every fiber of his being…. It’s been thirteen years since we last saw each other. It turns out ghosts can’t be buried... -
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![Falling for Mr. Bad by Melissa Foster]()
Falling for Mr. Bad by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.66 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsShe’s a badass musician and mechanic with no patience for overinflated egos. He’s a billionaire with no time for drama. Going head-to-head has never been so much fun. .. or so dirty. Scorching heat, laugh-out-loud humor, and loads of heart make this sexy enemies-to-lovers, close proximity, forbidden, workplace, small town standalone romance unputdownable... -
![Hell Bent by Rosalind James]()
Hell Bent by Rosalind James
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsEven princesses have problems. Alix: That line doesn’t exactly invite sympathy, does it? I was a fairly ersatz princess anyway, although you should try convincing my mother of that. And when I ran away from my family, my tech-bro groom, my almost-Stanford degree, and our fabulous future and right back to my trailer-living, hard-hatted life? Even I couldn’t explain it to anybody’s satisfaction... -
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![Quitting the Quarterback by Lisa Suzanne]()
Quitting the Quarterback by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA steamy Pro Football, Single Mom, Forbidden Doctor/Patient Romance from Amazon Top Ten Bestselling author Lisa Suzanne. I went to Vegas to celebrate my divorce, and the pro football star was there celebrating his new contract. I heard someone call his name, and I wasn't about to miss my chance to get with the man my ex had idolized... -
![The Fine Art of Faking It by Lucy Score]()
The Fine Art of Faking It by Lucy Score
Davis Gates. Naked. Tossing her a handful of orgasms like he was on a lust-themed parade float. A fifty-year feud. One failed smoke bomb matchmaking scheme. Two enemies turned fake lovers. For the past fifteen years, Eden has worked her ass off to overcome high school. She’s cornered the tourism market in Blue Moon offering visitors a place to stay in her hippie, dippy hometown... -
![Kiss My Giraffe by Erin Nicholas]()
Kiss My Giraffe by Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsEnemies to friends to almost lovers then back to enemies…to lovers. She's got a lot of baggage. .. literally and figuratively. And an entourage. And a freaking giraffe. For real. For a guy who wants to keep things simple, this is anything but. So why can't he stay away? Knox and Fiona's story! Finally! -
![Now's The Time by Harlow James]()
Now's The Time by Harlow James
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 12 ratings“Let me experience all of you tonight, Penelope…since this is all that we get. ”. That was the agreement between me and Maddox Taylor, the NFL’s most notorious playboy and mega-talented quarterback who happened to be out in California for one night—one night in which I broke all of my rules and gave in to the undeniable attraction I felt for the man...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity from hate to love athletes secret-relationship football m-f contemporary -
![The Fear of Falling by Dana LeCheminant]()
The Fear of Falling by Dana LeCheminant
What happens in Italy…follows you home. Avery was supposed to be married by now—not stuck working alongside her ex-fiancé, pretending their failed relationship never happened. So when a solo trip to Italy introduces her to a charming stranger with a devastating smile, a no-strings-attached fling feels like the perfect way to remember there’s more to life than work and heartbreak...Categorized as:
office m-f forced proximity second chances sassy heroine strong heroine humor glimpses-kisses -
![Goalie Interrupted by Anne Kemp]()
Goalie Interrupted by Anne Kemp
Coaching him was never part of the plan. Falling for her should NOT happen. But in hockey––and love––sometimes the best plays come when you break the rules. Elle: Coaching the River City Renegades is exactly where I want to be—hockey, small-town charm, and zero drama…but there’s him. Dixon Andrews. The team’s broody, infuriating, gorgeous goalie... -
![Just One Look by Rosalind James]()
Just One Look by Rosalind James
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsLuka Darkovic has some tackling skills. He hadn’t planned on using them to bring down a runaway dog the size of a Shetland pony, though, especially not when his neck is already buggered. At 33, a rugby forward protects his vertebrae. . He’s even less happy when the dog’s incompetent owner turns up in his hospital cubicle the next day with a plan to fix those vertebrae... -
![Delayed Call by Toni Aleo]()
Delayed Call by Toni Aleo
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsVaughn Johansson is the Nashville Assassins' star player. He's brash, cocky, and talented. And he isn't afraid to let anyone know it. He lives his life on his own terms, never forming romantic attachments, and only allowing his very closest to see his true, caring self. Brie Soledad has the weight of the world on her shoulders... -
![Enticing Her Love: Sutton Steele by Melissa Foster]()
Enticing Her Love: Sutton Steele by Melissa Foster
Pro: Stuck sharing a bed with my hot, broody boss. Con: He’s trying to get me fired. Discovery Hour reporter Sutton Steele spends her days trying to keep her job, while her insanely hot, infuriating boss, Flynn Braden, would love nothing more than to see her gone... -
![It's Always Sonny by Kate Watson]()
It's Always Sonny by Kate Watson
Sunshine always melts ice eventually. And I’m starting to feel the burn. People may call me an “overachieving ice queen,” but I would do anything for the people I love. So when my friends ask me to host an event at their famous farm, I’m more than happy to help…until I discover I’ve been set up. The “event” is actually a reunion for my ex’s family...Categorized as:
forced proximity sports m-f football second chances contemporary grumpy sunshine found-family -
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![Kiss Me Tonight by Maria Luis]()
Kiss Me Tonight by Maria Luis
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsI had it all. The Super Bowl rings. The hot shot TV gig. Then I got fired. Now I’m living in middle-of-nowhere Maine, playing assistant coach to the woman of my nightmares. Did I mention that she and her son are my new neighbors? If you talk to the locals, they’ll tell you Aspen Levi is the queen of high school football. But if you ask me, my new head coach is a pain in my left nut sac...Categorized as:
office sports from hate to love forced proximity athletes m-f single-mother dual-pov -
![Home Run by Jordan Marie, Robin Harper]()
Home Run by Jordan Marie, Robin Harper
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsGreen Lucas doesn't know what's about to hit him. Complete Standalone Romance. Wanted. A woman with grit and fire who will help me get my son’s head out of his ass. You must be self-sufficient and not looking for a gravy train. Common sense is a plus, book smarts are optional. Cannot have red hair, as my son seems to go for that type and he needs something to shake him up... -
![Beachside Kisses With My Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Kristin Canary]()
Beachside Kisses With My Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Kristin Canary
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn the charming town of Hallmark Beach, love’s a food fight when old flames ignite and rivalries simmer. Things were sailing smoothly in my little slice of paradise until Blake “the Flake” Moffitt waltzed back into town, looking far too handsome for his own good—and mine. Once upon a time, I was hopelessly in love with my best friend's brother, but that fairytale is history... -
![Over & Out by Claire Wilder]()
Over & Out by Claire Wilder
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIntroducing a brand new enemies to lovers romance from USA TODAY Bestselling Author Claire Wilder! Three months ago, a dirt bike accident stole my confidence, my beloved ride, and the one thing that made me feel alive. Now I’m going through the motions in my coastal tourist town, totally adrift… and trying not to think about the stranger who pulled me from the wreckage...Categorized as:
from hate to love office forced proximity m-f secret-relationship humor length-medium contemporary -
![Blindsided By Fake Love by Abby Greyson]()
Blindsided By Fake Love by Abby Greyson
This is a dual POV, kisses only, sports romance in the Sweet Sports Kisses Series. A jilted bride. A rebound marriage. And a lifetime of secret pining. Beau. My teammates know I’m not the biggest party guy, and Vegas is not my scene. But they wouldn’t take no for an answer...Categorized as:
sports m-f second chances from hate to love sassy heroine athletes contemporary humor -
![Be Still My Racing Heart by Madison Love]()
Be Still My Racing Heart by Madison Love
This is a dual POV, kisses only, sports romance in the Sweet Sports Kisses Series. A reformed bad boy, an heiress with a secret, and a forbidden love. Blake. Groomed to run my father’s company, I dream of flying down the speedway. Not "flying" a desk. Forbidden from chasing my dream, I spend my free time helping kids chase theirs while waiting for fate to claim me... -
![Mine To Cherish by Natasha Madison]()
Mine To Cherish by Natasha Madison
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsThings are supposed to go smoothly on your wedding day. Aren't they? Clarabella. Did I want to get married today? It's hard to say when he proposed in front of over a hundred people. Everything happened so fast, and I thought it was just nerves. It was not. The knock on the door showed me that what I was feeling was more than just cold feet. I was a runaway bride. Luke...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love sassy heroine office m-f friends to lovers contemporary dual-pov -
![Not That Impressed by Ranee S. Clark]()
Not That Impressed by Ranee S. Clark
I’m totally fine if America wants to cast me as the villain. So why do I care if brooding football player Will Pemberton believes it too? But honestly? It stings more than it should when Will—grumpy football star and walking scowl—judges me based on a five-second video from Being the Bennets, my family’s reality TV show. Maybe it’s because his best friend is dating my sister... -
![Fore-Ever Yours by Bella Greene]()
Fore-Ever Yours by Bella Greene
A viral photo, a fake relationship, and one big problem. Matthew. All I wanted was a quiet few days. Instead, I get coffee poured on me, a gossip scandal, and a fake girlfriend. My agent insists this PR stunt will boost my career. Fake dating her for a few months? Fine. No problem. Except it’s definitely a problem. The more we fake this, the more I forget it’s not real. Beth... -
![Driving Maisie Crazy by Deborah M. Hathaway]()
Driving Maisie Crazy by Deborah M. Hathaway
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“What happens on an Irish bus tour stays on an Irish bus tour…”. This is the second book in the clean and sweet romcom Men of the Isles series by Deborah M. Hathaway. Although this clean, road trip, forbidden romance is a stand-alone novel, the books are best enjoyed when read in order. Don't miss the other novels in this series! Book 1: Winning Winnie's Hand. Book 2: Driving Maisie Crazy - 2025...Categorized as:
forced proximity secret-relationship forbidden love contemporary humor length-medium -
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![Perfectly Grumpy by Grace Worthington]()
Perfectly Grumpy by Grace Worthington
A grumpy hockey player. A sunshine PR queen. One fake relationship to survive the off-season—and one summer that changes everything. The first rule of hockey PR? Never. Date. A. Player. Which shouldn’t be a problem—Tate Foster is the least dateable guy on the team. Logical. Bookish. Allergic to chaos. He hates attention almost as much as he dislikes me, the team’s PR rep...Categorized as:
from hate to love sports office m-f forced proximity strong heroine sassy heroine athletes -
![This Is Love by Melissa Foster]()
This Is Love by Melissa Foster
Fall in love in Harmony Pointe, where hearts are lost, found, and sometimes misplaced…and everyone get a happy ever after. If a woman can’t find love in the quaint town of Harmony Pointe, it’s sure to find them—whether they’re looking for it or not. Here, the remaining single Dalton siblings are about to discover that they’re next in line to get swept away by love...Categorized as:
sassy heroine strong heroine forced proximity office m-f humor contemporary alpha male -
![Text Me Baby One More Time by Teagan Hunter]()
Text Me Baby One More Time by Teagan Hunter
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsA SECOND-CHANCE ROMANTIC COMEDY! I love you , he said. Forever , he said. Turns out, he lied. When he leaves me high and dry after a cross-country move, I push him out of my life as much as I can, which is hard to do when the guy who broke your heart also happens to be the most famous dude in town...Categorized as:
athletes from hate to love sports m-f second chances humor new adult friends to lovers -
![Catch a Wave by Savannah Scott]()
Catch a Wave by Savannah Scott
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsDid you ever see a guy and just know you had to meet him? That was me and Bodhi Merrick. I couldn't take my eyes off him as he donned his wetsuit at the famous big-wave surf spot, Mavericks. I'll never forget that day. Or every time our paths crossed after that. Big wave surfing is a small world...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity m-f multicultural siblings-bff humor contemporary length-medium -
![Mood Swings and Hockey Flings by Marika Ray, Sylvie Stewart]()
Mood Swings and Hockey Flings by Marika Ray, Sylvie Stewart
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsIn the cutthroat world of professional sports, I’m the agent who always calls the shots. Until a decade-old feud with hockey superstar Banks Bennet resurfaces, and I’m forced to play nice. When his agent drops him and rumors of a trade swirl through the league faster than a puck on a breakaway, I find myself in the dreaded role of Banks’s new agent...Categorized as:
sports from hate to love office forced proximity hockey contemporary mature couple humor -
![Thunderstruck by Dana LeCheminant]()
Thunderstruck by Dana LeCheminant
Rugby player Cole Evanson doesn’t need romance complicating his life. So when the team’s new athletic trainer—the spunky and stunning Carissa Paxton—arrives, Cole knows he should steer clear and let his teammates make their moves. Easier said than done. Carissa’s vivacious and sweet nature tempts Cole to risk his infamous family curse, which would be a mistake for everyone...Categorized as:
sports office secret-relationship m-f forbidden love forced proximity athletes contemporary -
![Second Dive by Jasmin Miller]()
Second Dive by Jasmin Miller
Noah Winters was my heart’s desire, the boy I loved desperately and had hoped to spend my future with. Until our plans were derailed and life took us in completely different directions. When our fate changed, and our paths crossed again, nothing prepared me for the punch straight to the heart when I saw him . . . or his anger and bitterness... -
![She Loves Me by Melissa Foster]()
She Loves Me by Melissa Foster
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsWhat are two besties willing to risk for something more? The New York Times bestselling author of This Is Love has the answer in this fun, sexy, and emotional romance about friendship, family, and giving love a chance. Something is off in Piper Dalton’s life, and she has a feeling it might just be her. All her siblings are blissfully settled with their forever loves...Categorized as:
sassy heroine strong heroine m-f humor contemporary friends to lovers independent heroine audiobook -
![Off the Record by Chelle Sloan]()
Off the Record by Chelle Sloan
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsFans of the Nashville Fury come to me for all things regarding their favorite professional football team. Stats, rumors and even what the players like on their pizza. What they don’t turn to me for is information about how their offensive coordinator is in the bedroom. The answer? It’s too hot for print... -
![The Problem with Players by Brittainy C. Cherry]()
The Problem with Players by Brittainy C. Cherry
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsAs a female coach, I’ve always lived by a simple mantra: throw hard, swing for the fences, and never, ever look back--especially when it comes to past flames. So when my ex-boyfriend somehow manages to land the job as my new assistant coach, my life is flipped upside down. The game I thought I'd mastered is now being played with a whole new set of rules. My ex is baseball's all-star Nathan Pierce...Categorized as:
forced proximity sports from hate to love office second chances m-f baseball friends to lovers -
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![One Hundred Desires by Kelly Collins]()
One Hundred Desires by Kelly Collins
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe’s all work. He’s all play. Can they meet in the middle for love? Vivian Armstrong has taken control of Vortex, her family's security business, and she’s determined to prove her worth. She may be the youngest of seven and the only woman bodyguard on the team, but she’s every bit as tough as her older brothers...Categorized as:
forced proximity sassy heroine from hate to love contemporary suspense humor length-short audiobook -
![The Mistake You Crave by Piper Hale]()
The Mistake You Crave by Piper Hale
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat do you get when you combine one drunken night in Vegas, your brother’s best friend, and a twenty-four-hour chapel? One giant, hot hockey player mistake. Growing up with a hockey hot-shot for a brother, I’ve spent my life surrounded by cocky men. I know the ins and outs of the games they play both on and off the ice. Which is why I’d never date one of them. And marriage? Absolutely not... -
![Summer Hate by Melissa Ivers]()
Summer Hate by Melissa Ivers
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHe was the last person I wanted to see on my girls trip, let alone share a room with. Donovan Fitzroy is grumpy. Irritable. Annoyingly perfect. And as handsome as he is uptight. He’s also my best friend’s older brother. My bestie promised me a relaxing week at her family owned resort, but when I got there all I got was an apologetic phone call and a promise that her brother would take care of me... -
![Playboy’s Reward by Gina Azzi]()
Playboy’s Reward by Gina Azzi
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsIt was supposed to be a favor between neighbors…. When sexy-as-sin Harper Henderson launches profanities into the night sky from the balcony below mine, I intervene. I volunteer to be her date to her ten-year high school reunion. I may be a professional hockey player with a playboy reputation, but I’m also a good guy and I make an exceptional plus-one. Being Harper's fake date is easy... -
![Offside with #55 by Piper Rayne]()
Offside with #55 by Piper Rayne
The last thing any professional hockey player wants is to be the old man in the game. The guy who doesn’t know when it’s time to retire. Still, I can’t bear the thought of leaving the game. This past year I’ve reflected on all my regrets, and I told myself that once I retire it’ll be the time to find the right woman. But this is where it gets tricky... -
![Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart]()
Some Kind of Blunderful by Livy Hart
If you ask Mia Madden, the road to dating hell is paved with suspiciously hot online profiles. Take tonight’s date, for example. Alex Conroy’s whole “boardroom in the streets, lumberjack in the sheets” thing totally works for her, but his profile did not convey that he represents everything she loathes about corporate hustle culture. He’s not even worth her bottle of purse wine...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love forbidden love m-f humor contemporary grumpy sunshine dual-pov -
![A Christmas Court(ship) by Tiffany Noelle Chacon]()
A Christmas Court(ship) by Tiffany Noelle Chacon
A best friend’s brother, a high-stakes holiday pickleball game, and a spark they can’t ignore. Sadie:. I’ve had a crush on Beckett Dawson forever—my best friend’s older brother, the hometown golden boy turned pro pickleball player. He’s been gone for years, but when he walks into my early-morning practice, I finally have a chance for him to notice me. .Categorized as:
sports m-f forced proximity sassy heroine athletes humor length-novella glimpses-kisses -
![The Ex Effect by Karla Sorensen]()
The Ex Effect by Karla Sorensen
The headline could write itself:. Matthew Hawkins, star defensive end, comes out of retirement to play for the Washington Wolves. Which is perfectly fine by Ava Baker—it makes her job as publicist for the team easier. There’s only two problems. This particular football player was her first crush. The bigger problem: Matthew Hawkins was once engaged to her older sister... -
![A Wild Card Kiss by Lauren Blakely]()
A Wild Card Kiss by Lauren Blakely
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 27 ratings#1 New York Times bestseller Lauren Blakely charms with a sexy, flirty sports romcom featuring a pro football single dad who's never forgotten a red-hot kiss from years ago. Now the object of his memories is a jilted bride determined to make a new start...Categorized as:
sports football athletes office forbidden love second chances forced proximity single-father -
![Turn of the Tides by Jessica Prince]()
Turn of the Tides by Jessica Prince
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWhen Beau Wade left his small hometown of Whitecap, Oregon, he swore to himself he’d never go back. But when his NFL career goes up in smoke, that’s exactly what he finds himself doing. Not much has changed in the ten years he’s been gone... -
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![Puffin Bay by Annie Dyer]()
Puffin Bay by Annie Dyer
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHeartbreak led me to Puffin Bay, searching for peace in a small, coastal town. Four years later, my bar is thriving and my next business is just what the town needs. It doesn’t need Roman Tominey. Arrogant, city-boy, suit-wearing grump - he knows how to push every one of my buttons, and after an evening of bad decisions, he knows how to push that one too...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity office strong heroine m-f humor contemporary grumpy sunshine -
![Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin]()
Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsPlaying hockey in Maple Falls was meant to be just a charity gig, but then my new publicist showed up, melting the ice—and my heart. Cooper. I never anticipated being roped into a charity hockey game during the off-season. But here I am, heading to Maple Falls, all because my publicist decided to retire. Change was inevitable, but I didn't foresee it coming so soon... -
![Perfectly Faked by Grace Worthington]()
Perfectly Faked by Grace Worthington
He’s a hot-headed hockey star. A grump with a broody glare. Hater of playing by the rules. Bigger hater of figure skaters like me. And now, my new fake boyfriend. I’ve spent my entire life working for a shot at Nationals, but when my figure skating partner gets an injury right before the biggest season of my career, my chances of making a comeback vanish overnight...Categorized as:
sports forced proximity second chances from hate to love m-f athletes sassy heroine strong heroine -
![The Winning Score by G.K. Brady]()
The Winning Score by G.K. Brady
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsShe can’t stand him. The feeling is mutual. Can they make it through quarantine together? Quinn Hadley only does one thing as well as he plays hockey—wheeling the ladies. He’s the envy of his teammates. With puck bunnies on speed dial in every city, he never spends a night alone unless it’s by choice. He has a certain type—hot, blond, and easy... -
![Strike Zone by Eva Haining]()
Strike Zone by Eva Haining
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLove isn't a BALL GAME. .. it's a CAGE FIGHT! I find her so elegant, and yet I know she could kick my ass with ease. Lincoln Nash is the top hitter in major league baseball, and a World Series Champion. When his best friend hooks up with the sister of MMA fighter, Dee Lex, he’s eager for an introduction. She’s strong, fearless, and effortlessly beautiful... -
![Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance by Abby Greyson]()
Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance by Abby Greyson
This is a dual POV, kisses only, sports romance and the fourth standalone in the interconnected Accidentally In Sports Series. A star shortstop. A benched heart. A second chance sparked by fate—and a sassy pup. David. I saw my brother and best friend fake-date their way to true love, but that’s not for me...
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